on a collection of birds from rajputana by biswamoy...
TRANSCRIPT
ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS FROM RAJPUTANA
By BISWAMOY BISWAS, M.So., Research Scholar, Zoological Survey of India
INTRODUCTION
A party of the Zoological Survey of India, consisting of Dr. B. N. Qhopra, Dr. M. L. Roonwal and a taxidermist made a short collecting trip to Rajputana in October-November, 1941. The collections made by them include about 100 bird skins from Ajmer-Merwara, and the Mewar (Udaipur) and Dungarpur States.
The physiographyl, etc., of the areas visited are briefly described below.
(a) Aimer-Merwara-' Collections were made in and around Ajmer City, which lies at the foot of the Taragarb Hill. The average mean temperature of the year is about 76°F., and in October-November about 68°F. The rainfall is low, the annual average being about 21 inches.
(b) Mewar State-The· northern and eastern portions of the State consist of an elevated plateau of fine open country sloping to the north-east, while the southern and western portions are entirely covered with rocks, hills and dense jungle. The hill tract embraces the wil~est portion of the Ar§. valli rang& Moreover, to the east of Chitorgarh is a series of hills running north and. south forming narrow parallel valleys.
The country is arid. There are only a few rivers flowing through this State. The average annual rainfall at Udaipur is about 24 inches. There is usually more rain in the south. west. The climate is not severe. The average mean annual temperature at Udaipur is about 77°F. In this State collections were made at the following places:Chitorgarh-in and around the town; also on the banks of
the adjacent Berach river. Udaipur-the capital of the State. Collected around the
city. Udaisagar Lake-7 miles from Udaipur. Barapal-about 15 miles south of Udaipur. Parsad-about 30 miles south of Udaipur. Collected in the
surrounding jungle and adjacent streamlets. (c) Dungarpur State-In this, the southernmost State of Rajputana,
collections were made around Dungarpur town. The climate is temperate and dry. The mean annual temperature is about 75°F., and the annual rainfall averages about 27 inches.
The accompanying map (Text-fig. 1) shows the positions of the different localities surveyed.
1 Adapted from the Imperial Gazetteer of India.
( 245 J
246 Rf!oords 01 the I ruJ,ian Museum. [VOL. XLV,
Ornithology of RaJputana-The avifauna of Rajputana is imperfectly known. The only noteworthy reports on the birds _ of Rajputana 'are
7~ 76
SOUTHERN
RAJPUTAN A Scale 0510 to ~o 40 ~o
• Collecting areas
JAJPUR
INDIA
14 76
TEXT-FIGURE I.-Map of the southern part of Rajputana to show the area surveyed. The scale is in English miles. (Sirohi has been wronglg indicated as a collecting
locality; no collecting was done there.)
from the Sambhar Lake and its vicinity by Adam (1873-74), the Mount Aboo region by Butler (1875-76), and the Jodhpur State by Hume (1878) and Whistler (1938).
Measurements, etc.-For the methods of taking measurements and determination of sex, weight, local names, etc., my previou.s paper (Biswas,1947) may be referred to. When sex was determined from plumage and not by an actual examination of the gonads, it is indicated in brackets, e.g., (&') or (~).
The specimen numbers refer to the Registration numbers in. the Zoological Survey of India collections.
Brief synonyms are given in controversial cases only. For a more complete list of synonyms reference may be made to Baker's volumes (VII -VIII) on Birds in the Fauna of British India series,
1947.] BISW AMOY BISWAS : Birds from Ra}putana 247
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to express my indebtedness to Dr. B. N. Chopra, D.Sc., F.N.I., the Director, and Dr. M. L. Roonwal, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Cantab.), F.N.I., Asstt. Superintendent, Zoological Survey of'India, for their kindness in putting the entire collection of birds from Rajputana at my disposal. lowe a special debt of thanks to· Dr. Roonwal for checking the identifications and many valuable suggestions in the preparation of this report.
SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT
Order P ASSERIFORMES
Family CORVIDAE
Corvus macrorhynchus culminatus Sykes
(The Indian Jungle-Crow)
1930. OOr'IJU8 levaillanti levaillanti Less., Baker, Faun. Brit. India Bird8 (2nd. ed.) VIII, p. 593.
1930. Oorvu8 lefJaillanti culminatu8 Sykes, Baker, Ibid., p. 594.-1932. OOr'IJU8 rnacrorhynch'U8 culminatu8 Sykes, Whistler and I{]nnear, J. Bomhuy
nat. Hist. Soc. XXXV, p. 512.
Specimen collected: No. 26738, (J', Barapal, October 15, 1941. Measurements: 1 r1: W 282; Tl. 160; Tr. 54; B. 58 mm. Local (Bhil) name: Kagwd.
Fiel4 note: The testes were· in the non-breeding condition, measuring approximately 4·0 X 2·5 mm.
Remarks: Adam (1873-74), Hume (1878) and Whistler (1938) did not record this species from the Sambhar Lake area or the Jodhpur State, but Butler (1875) found it to be common in Mount Aboo region.
Family P ARIDAE
Parus major, marhattarum Hartert
(The Sout.hern Grey Tit)
Specimen collected: No. 26739, (sex 1), Parsad, October 20, 1941. Measurements: 1 (sex ~) : W 64; Tl. 56; Tr. 17; B. 11 mm.
Weight: 11·9 gms.
248 Recurd8 oj the I nilia", M weum.
Family TmALIIDAE
T urdoides somervillei terri color (Blyth)
(The Bengal Jungle-Babbler)
[VOL. XLV,
1844. Malacocercu8 terricolor, Blyth, J. A.,iat. Soc. Bengal XIII, p. 367 (Nepal). (ex Maina Terricolor, Hodgson (1836), J. A.,iae. Soc. Bengal V, p. 771. Nom. nud.)
1922. Turdoide8 terricolor terricokw Hodgs., Baker, Faun. Bri,. India, Blrtl, (2nd. ed.) I, p. 191.
1932. Purdoides 80mervillei terricolor (Blyth), Whi~tler and Kinnear, J. Bombay nat. Hi"t. 8oc. XXXV, p. 738.
Specimens collected: No. 26742, ~, Chitorgarh, October 7, 1941; Nos. 26741, ~, and 26740, (sex ~), Parsad, October 19, 1941.
16' 1 ~ 1 (sex 1) •
Measurements (mm.). W. TI. Tr. B.
106 105 102
110 100 107
34 35 34
22 21 22
Weights (gms.) : No. 26741,~, 65·7'; No. 26742, ~, 68·2; No. 26740, (sex ~) 59·0.
Local (Bhil) name f New and Kaugo.
Argya caudata buHoni (Blyth)
(The Afghan Babbler) Specimens collected: Nos. 26743, ~,and 26744, (sex ~), Ajmer, October
31, 1941.
1 ~ • 1 (sex!) •
Measurements (mm.).
•
w.
86 79
TI.
III 120
Tr.
28 28
B.
18 18
Weights (gms.) ! No. 26743, ~, 38·2; No. 26744, (sex 1), 31·2. Systematic note: These specimens are somewhat intermediate between
the subspecies caudata and huttoni but nearer the latter. In Rajputana caudata has been recorded by Adam (1873, p. 378) in the Sambhar Lake area, by Butler (1875, p. 472) in Deesa (south-western Rajputana), and by Hume (1878, p. 55) and Whistler (1938, p. 216) in Jodhpur State. Ticehurst (1922, p. 540) found both caudata and huttoni in Sind. It seems, therefore, that both the subspecies possibly occur in Rajputana.
Aegithina tiphia tiphia (Linne) I.
(The Common lora) Specimens collected: Nos. 26745, ~, and 26746, (sex ~), Dungarpur,
October 26 and 28, 1941, respectively.
l~ • l (1I8X t) •
Measurements (mm.). W. TI. Tr. B.
• • • •
49 5. 18 ~1
1947.] BISW AMoy Blaw AS: Birds from Rajputanai
Weight (gms.); No. 26745, ~, 11·8; No. 26746, (sex ~), 12·4.
Field notes: Only a few pairs were seen.
249
Adam (1873) also found this species to be very rare in the Sambhar Lake area.
In No. 26745 the testes were in the non-breeding condition, measuring approximately 2·0xl·0 mm.
Family PYONONOTIDAE
Molpastes eafer pallidus Baker
(The Central Indian Red-vented Bulbul)
Specimens collected: No. 26747, ~, Barapal, October 14; No. 26748, C!, Parsad, October 19; Nos. 26749, 5j?, and 26750,~, Ajmer, November 1, 1941.
Measurements (mm.). w. TI. Tr.
90--97 82--90 23--24 89 83 23
B.
16 16
Weights (gms.) : ~~: Nos. 26747, 36·2; 26748, 41·7; 26750, 33·9.
~: No. 26749, 28·7.
Field notes : Very common.
The testes in No. 26748 were in the non-breeding condition and tneasured about 2·0 X 1·5 mm.
Local (Bkil) name: Peetrolyo.
Family TURD DAN
Oenanthe pieata (Blyth)
(The Pied Chat)
Speeimen collected : No. 267 58, ~, on R. Berach near Chitorgarh, October 8, 1941.
Measurement& (mm.): 1 ~: W. 94; Tl. 72; Tr. 22; B.17.
Weight (gms.): 21·1~
Cercomela fusea (Blyth)
(The Brown Rock-Chat)
Specimen collected: No. 26756, 5j?, Parsad, October 20, 1941,
Measurement& (mmJ: 1 ~: W. 85; Tl. 68; Tr. 22; B. 17.
250 Records oj the indian M 'U8~'Um.
Weight: 12.;7 (gms.). Field note: Only a pair seen on river.
Saxicola fulicata cambaiensis (Latham)
{The Brown-backed Indian Robin)
[VOL. 4~iV,
Specimens collected: Nos. 26751 and 26752, c! (c!), Chitorgarh, Ooto .. ber 9; No. 26753, ~, around Udaisagar Lake, October 11 ; Nos. 26764, (&'), and 26755, (~), Parsad, October 17 and 20, 1941, respectively.
Measurements (mm.). W. TI. Tr. B.
72--76 65--69 25--27 15--16 70--71 63--69 26 14--16
Weights (gms.): c!c!: Nos. 26751 and 26754, 20·0 and 17'0 respectively; ~~: Nos. 26753 and 26755, 18·6 and 19·0 respectively"
Local (Bhil) name.' Dachko. Field notes.: They were common all over. In No. 2671)3 the ovary was in the non-breeding condition, measuring
approximately 3·0 X 2·5 mm.
Copsychus saularis saularis (Linne)
(The Indian Magpie-Robin)
Specimen collected: No. 26757, C!, Parsad, October 19, 1941.
Measurements (mm.).· 1 c! W. 99; Tl. 90; 'I'r. -J7; B. 21. T{ eight: 31·2 (gms.). Local (Bhil) name.' Kabro. Field note: A few seen.
Family MUSOIOAPIDAE
Tcbitrea paradisi paradisi (Linne)
(The Indian Par~dise~lycatQher)
Specimen collected: No. 26762, cr, (in black ~nd white plumage), Barapal, October 14, 1941.
Measurements (rom.).' 1 c!: W. 96; Tl. 134; Tr. 19; B. 26. Weight.' 19·5 (gms.).
Field notes .' Only one seen.
The testes were- in the non-breeding oondition and measured - about 2·Oxl·5 mID.
1947.] BISWAMOY BISWAS: Birds from Rajputana. 251
Leucocirca aureola aureola (Lesson)
(The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher) Specimens collectea: No. 26759, ~, Barapal, October 15; No. 26761
(sex ~), Dungarpur, October 26; No. 26760, ~, Ajmer (in scrub jungle close to the town), November 1, 1941.
l~ I ~
Measurements. (mm.) w. TI. Tr. B.
1 (sex 1) •
84 88 86
90 95 94
18 18 18
16 14 15
Weights (grus.): d': No. 26759, 12'0; ~: No. 26760, 10·0; (sex 1) No. 26761, 11·5.
Field notes: At Barapal it was not found to be common, while in the scrub jungles near Ajmer it was common in certain patches. Hume (1878) found it to be rare in the Jodhpur State.
In No. 26759 the testes were in the non-breeding condition measuring about 2·5 X 1·5 mm.
Family LANIIDAE
Lanius excubitor lahtora (Sykes)
(The Indian Grey Shrike)
Specimen collected: No. 26763, ~, Chitorgarh, October 7, 1941. Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W 105; Tl. 117; Tr. 31 ; B. 23.
Weight: 62·0 (gms.).
Field note: Two or three seen.
Lanius excubitor pallidirostris Cassin
(The Allied Grey Shrike)
.Specimen collected: No. 26764, ~, Ajmer (in the scrub jungle close to the town), October 31, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W 108; Tl. 109; Tr. 31 ; B. 33.
Weight: 60·0 (gms.). Field note: One seen in the scrub jungle.
Remarks: This is a palaearctic race breeding in Baluchistan, but rarely recorded from the rest of India-once in the Punjab (Baker, 1924, p. 288) and twice in Sind (Ticehurst, 1922, p. 606). There is also in the Zoological Survey of India collections one specimen from Shahasan, Sind (No. 25701, ~, Manchar Survey Party, November. 1927) belonging to this race. 'rhe present one is, I believe, the first record from Rajputana.
252 Records of tke I tulia/n. M meum. [VOL. XLV,
Lanius viUatus Valenciennes
(The Bay-backed Shrike)
Specimens collected: Nos. 26766 and 26768, ~~; 26767, (sex t), Dnngarpur, October 26, 1941.
Measurements (mm.).
J~c1 • 1 (8ex f) •
• •
w. TI. Tr.
84--85 87--88 23--25 84 92 23
B.
14 15
Weights (gms.): ~~: Nos. 26766, 21·9, and 26768, 21·9; (sex t) : No. 26767, 21·7.
Field notes: Fairly ,common. In Nos. 26766 and 26768 the testes were in the non-breeding condi
tion and measured 2·0-2-5 X 1·0-2·0 mm.
LaDius schach erytbronotus (Vigors)
(The Ruf9us-backed Shrike) Specimens collected : Nos. 26765, r3, and 26769, ~ (juv.), Barapal,
Ootober 14, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 ad. ~: w. 88; Tl. 105 ; Tr. 27; B. 19.
Local (Bhil) name: Monalyo. Field note: Not unoommon.
Systematic note: The adult ~ specimen shows a faint rufous tinge hi" patches on the upper back, and in this character it resembles the allied southern subspecies caniceps.
Family PERIOROOOTIDAE
Pericrocotus peregrinus pallidus Baker
(The Sind Small Minivet)
~pecimens collected: No. 26770, ~, Parsad, October 19; No. 26171, J, Ajmer, October 31, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 2 ~~: W. 68-70; Tl. 72-73; fr. 15; B. 11-12.
Weights (gms.) : ~~: Nos. 26770, 8·5; 26771, 8·3. Field notes: Only a few seen.
In both the specimens the testes were in the non-breeding condition; measuring approximately 0·75-1-0XO·75-1·0 mm.
Systematic note: The specim~ns are somewhat intermediate between the subspecies peregrinus and pallidus, but closer to the latter. On the abdomen there is a very faint tinge of yellow; in this character they approach peregrinus. The lateral tail-feathers are tipped neither with scarlet-cream nor brick-pink, but with orange.
1947.] BISW AMOY BISWAS: Birds Jrom Rajputana. 253
Family DIORURIDAE
Dicrurus macro cercus macrocercus Vieillot
(The Black Drongo) Specimens collected: No. 26779, ~, Barapal, October 14; No. 26778
(sex 1) (juv.), Parsad, October 17, 1941. ~1:{easurements (mm.): 1 ad. ~: W. 133; Tl. 124; Tr. 20; B. 21. Local (Bhil) name: Kalyo. Field note: Not uncommon.
Family STURNIDAE
Temenuchus pagodarum (Gmelin)
(The Black-headed Myna) Specimens collected: Nos. 26772 and 26773, ~~, Dungarpur, October
25 and 26, 1941, respectively. Measurements (mm.): 2 ~~: W 99-107 ; Tl. 70-72; Tr. 26-28 ;
B. 18-19. Weights: No. 26773,~, 44·4 gms. Field notes: Common in the jungle close to Dungarpur. In No. 26772 the testes were in the non-breeding condition and
measured about 1·5 X 1·0 mm.
Acridotheres tristis tristis (Linne)
(The Common Myna) Specimeni collected: No. 26776, (sex 1), Chitorgarh, October 8;
Nos. 2677 4, ~, and 26775, ~, Dungarpur, October 26, 1941. All are 'juveniles.
Local (Bhil) name: Kabar. Remarks: Nos. 26774, ~, and 26775, ~, appear to be in moulting
condition, the nape showing some small newly emerged feathers, and the crown with almost fully developed ones, with naked spaces here and there. No. 26776 (sex 1) appears to have completed moulting, the feathers being fresh.
Acridotheres ginginianus (Latham)
(The Bank Myna) Specimen collected: No. 26777, ~, Udaipur, October 11, 194~. Measurements (mm.) " 1 ~: W 114; Tl. 76; Tr. 35; B.22. Local (Bhil) name: Gurka! (1)
254 Records oj the I nilian M usewm.
Field note: The ovary wa·s in the non-breeding condition, measuring approximately 4·0 X 4·0 mm. .
Remarks: From plumage this speoimen appears to have just oompleted moulting, the nape and posterior cr9wn showing some newly developed feathers.
Family PLOOEIDAE
UroloDcha malabarica (Linne)
(The White-throated Munia)
Specimens collecte4: No. 26780, ~, Chitorgarh, October 7; Nos. 26781 ~, 26782, (sex 1), and 26783, (J, Ajmer, November 1, 1941.
1~ 2 ~~ 1 (sex 1)
Measurements (mm.).
•
w.
57 52-55
55
TI.
51 49-50
52
Tr.
14 13-14
13
B.
10 10 10
Weights (gms.): (J: No. 26783, 11·3; ~~: Nos. 26780, 12·5, and 26781, 11·4; (sex 1) : No. 26782, 10·6.
Field notes: Common all over.
In No. 26783 the testes were in the breeding condition, and measured 5·0X3·0 mm.
Family FRINGILLIDAE
Passer domesticus indicus Jardine & Selby
(The Indian House-Sparrow)
Specimens collected: Nos. 26784, ~, 26785 and 26786, ~~, Barapal, Ootober 13, 1941.
Measurements (mm.). w.
76 69-70
TI.
58 53
Tr. B.
19 12 17--18 10--11
Weights (gms.): (J: No. 26784, 21·7; ~~: Nos. 26785, 20·5; 26786; 21·3.
Local (Bhil) name: Oharkalpe (for c!~ only). Field notes: Fairly commo~ near, habitation.
The gonads were in the non-breeding condition. The testes in No. 26784 measured 1·0xO·75 mIn., and the ovary in No. 26785, a·OX 3·0 mm.
Remarks: In the Jodhpur State Whistler (1938) found P. d. parkini, and not P. a. indicus.
1947.] BISW AMOY B1SW AS: Birds f10m Rajputana.
FamiJy HIRUNDINIIDAE
Hirundo daurica erythropygia Sykes
(Sykes's Striated Swallow) Spe~imen collected: No. 267-87, ~, Dungarpur, October 28, 1941. Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W 106; Tl. 1 ; Tr. 14; B. 7·5. Weight: 17·5 gms. Fiekl note: Very common, especially in the vicinity of water.,
Hirundo daurica temmincki (Hume)
(The European Striated Swallow) SpeCi'lrben collected: No.: 26788, ~, Chitorgarh, October 8, 1941. Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W 118; Tl. 116; Tr. 13 ; B. 10.
Weight: 17·8 gms. Local (Bhil) name: Ohami chodalyo.
255
Field note: The specimen. was shot from a flock of 100 or more which might possibly have been a mixed one of H. d. erythropygia and H. d. temmincki. They were _seen either soaring high up or sitting in Hocks on telegraph wires, etc.
Remarks : This palaearctic race occurs as a rare straggler ~n N. W. India, Gilgit, Kashmir and Nepal" and has once been recorded from Sind. The present one is probably the first record from Rajputana.
Family MOTACILLIDAE
Motacilla alba dukhuaeDsis Sykes
,(The Indian White Wagtail) Specimen collected: No. 26789, ~, on R. Berach near Chitongarh.
October 8, 1941. Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W. 92 i Tl. 91; Tr. 23; B. 17. Weight: 20·4 gros. Local (Bhil) name: Nachangol. Field notes: Not common. The ovary was in the non-breeding condition, measurIng about
2·0X2·O mm.
Motacilla maderaspatensis Gmelin
(The Large Pied Wagtail) Specimen collected: No. 26790, ~, on R. Berach near Chitorgarh,
October 8, 1941.
256 Records oj the 1 rulia"" Museum. [VOL. XLV,
Measurements (rom.): 1 (J: W. 95; Tl. 98; Tr. 26; B.20.
Weight: 29·5 gms. Local (Bhil) name: Nachangol. Field note: A few seen on river.
Anthus ~rivialis trivialis (Linne)
(The Tree-Pipit)
Specimen collected: No. 26791, (J, Chitorgarh, October '8, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 (J: W. 86; Tl. 66; Tr. 21; B. 14·5.
Weight: 20·9 gms. Field note: The testes were in the non-breeding condition and
measured approximately 0·75 X 0·50 mm.
Family ALAuDmAE
Mirafra erythroptera eryt:hroptera Blyth
(The Red-winged Bush-Lark)
Specimen collected: No. 26792, (J, Chitorgarh, October 7, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 cS: W. 78; Tl. 53; Tr. 22; B. 12.
Weight: 21·1 gms. Field notes : A few seen.
'the testes appeardd to be in the breeding condition, measuring about; 6·Ox3·5 mm.
Family ZOSTEBO PIDAE
Zosterops palpebrosa occidentis Ticehurst
(The ~orth-Western White-Eye)
Specimen collected: No. 26793, ~, Dungarpur, October 27, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W. 55; TI. 37; Tr. 15; B. 12. Weight: 7·8 ,gros.
Order CUCULIFORMES
Family-Cuo~AE
Cuculus canorus (subspecies ~)
Specimen collected: No. 26794, ~ (subadult), Parsad, October 21, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 subad. ~: W. 207; Tl. 172; Tr. 23; B.28. Weight: 104·0 gmB.
Field notes: Only one seen.
194:7.] BISW AMOY BISWAS: Birds from RajputatUJ. 257
Clamator jacobinus jacobinus (Boddaert)
(The Pied Crested Cuckoo)
Specimen collected: No. 26795, ~, Parsad, October 22, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 ~: W. 148; Tl. (165); Tr. 27; B. 14.
(Tip 0 f tail abraded) Weight: 70-9 gms.
Field notes : A few seen.
The ovary was quite large, measurIng about 9'0 X 10·0 rom, and suggesting nearness to breeding.
Order CORACIIFORMES
Family CORACI~DAE
Coracias benghalensis benghalensis (Linne)
(The Indian Roller)
Specimens collected: No. 26797, (1, Barapal, October 13; No. 26796, ~, Parsad, October 22, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 2~d': W. 178-195; Tl. 124-142; Tr. 26-28; B.42-48.
Weights (gms.) : d'd' : Nos. 26796, 152'5; 26797, 130·0.
Field notes: The testes were in the non-breeding condition, measuring approximately 2·0-2·5 X 2·0 mm.
Family MEROPIDAE.
Merops orientalis orientalis Latham
(The Common Indian Bee-eater)
Specimens collected: Nos. 26798, d', and 26799, (sex ~), Barapal, October 13; No. 26800, ~, Parsad, October 20, 1941.
Measurements (mm.). W. TI. Tr. B.
I~~ • • • 90-92 115-118 9·5-11 30 1 (sex ') • • 91 118 10 29
Weights (gms.) : ~: No. 26800, 14·6; (sex ~) : No. 26799, 15·5.
Field notes: Common.
The testes were in the non-breeding condition, and measured about 1-5·2-5 X 1·25-1-5 mm.
258 Records of tke Indian M meum. [VOL. XLV,
Family ALCEDINIDAE
Alcedo atthis bengalensis Gmelin
(The Common Indian Kingfisher)
Specimen collected: No. 26801, ~, on R. Barach near Chitorgarh, October 8, 1941.
l~easurernents (mm..)": 1 ~: W. 68; Tl. -34; Tr. 7; B. 44.
Weight. 25·0 gms. Local (Bhil) name: Karkilo. Remarks: Whistler (1938) did not "find this subspecies in the Jodh·
pur State; he found pallasii instead. But bengalensis was recorded by Adam (1873) in the Sambhar Lake area, and by Butler (1875) in Mount Aboo region.
Halcyon smyrnesis fusca (Boddaret)
(The Indian White-breasted Kingfisher)
Specimens oollected : No. 26804, C!, Barapal, October 14; Nos. 26802~ ~, and 26803,~, Parsad, October 20 and 21, 1941, respectively.
Measurements (mm.). W. TI.
121--125 84--85 123 87
Tr.
16 16
B.
62--63 67
Weights (gros.) : ~~ : Nos. 26803, 81·7; 26804, 74·5; ~ : No. 26802, 86·5.
"Local (Bhil) name: Karkilo. Field notes : A few seen. The gonads were in the non-breeding condition. In No. 26803, the
testes measured about 2·Ox1·0 mm.; and in No. 26802, the ovary was about 5·0 X 6·0 mm.
Family UPUPIDAE
Upupa epops epops (Linne)
(The European Hoopoe)
Specimens collected : Nos. 26805, ~, and 26806, ~, Parsad, October 22, 1941.
16' 1 ~
M:easurements (mm.).
Weight: No. 26805,~, 66·7 gms.
144 136
T1.
105 100
Tr.
23 22
B.
58 51
194:1.] BISWAMOY BISWAS: Birds from RaJputana. 259
Field notes: The gonads were in the non-breeding condition; in No. 26805, the testes measured about 3·0 X 2·5 mm., and in No. 26806, the ovary was about 6·Ox5·0 mm.
Remarks : The birds were evidently immigrants.
Upupa epops. orientalis Baker
. (The Indian Hoopoe) Specimens collected: Nos. 26807 and 26808, ~~: 26809, ~, Parsad,
October 22, 1941.
Measurements (mm.). W. Tl. Tr. B.
134--135 96--98 21--22 55--61 130 100 20 51
Weights (gros.): cJcJ: Nos. 26807, 54·5; 26808, 53·0; ~: No. 2680H 41·7. '
Field notes : Not uncommon. The gonads were in the non-breeding condition; the testes were
approximately 3·0-3·25 X 2·0-3·0 mm., and the ovary 5·0 X 4·0 mm.
Order STRIGIFORMES
Family ASIONIDAE
39. Athene brama brama (Temminck and Laugier)
(The Spotted Owlet) 1927. Atkene b'rama brama (Temm. &- Laug.), Baker, Faul1,. Brit. India, B-ird8
(2nd. ed.) IV, p. 439. 1927. Atkene brama indica (Frankl.), Ba.ker, Ibid., p. 440.
Specimens collected: Nos. 26810, (sex 1), and 26811, ~, Parsad, October 19 and _22, 1941, respectively.
Measurements (mm.). w. T1. Tr. B.
l~ 1 (sex ?)
151 149
78 75
28 27
20 19
Weights (gms.) : ~: No. 26811, 114·0; (sex 1): No. 26810, 105·0.
Field notes : Not common. In No. 26811, the testes were in the non-breeding cond'ition, measur
ing about 3·0 X 2·0 mm. Systematic note: Baker (1927, pp. 439-440) recognises two sub
species of Athene brama in India, viz., brama (South Indian) and indica (North Indian). From the descriptions of these two subspecies as given by Baker, it was difficult to place the Rajputana specimens subspecifically. He differentiates them on the degree of coloration of the upper side and spotting on the under side, together with very slight
260 Records oft'M IMUm Museum. [VOL. XLV,
differences in their sizes. He restricts brama to the south of lat. 14°N. Whistler and Kinnear (1935, p. 237) maintain this division into two subspecies and give measurements of several specimens to show the differences, but these measurements largely overlap. Moreover, they recognize lat. 20oN. as the dividing line. Peters (1940, p. 150) also upbolds this division.
I have examined all the specimens (36 in all) of Atkene brama in the Zoological Survey of India collections from all over India. l find that in coloration the northern birds are generally slightly paler than the southern ones, but with all degrees of intergradations between them. In sizes, the southern birds tend to be slightly smaller but with much overlapping. The same conclusion was also arrived at by Whistler and Kinnear (loc. cit.) in spite of their recognition of the two subspecies as valid. They concluded: "There is, of course, complete intergradation between the two forms, both in colour and size, and there is, a further complication that individual birds may vary considerably in colour. A Punjab bird . , for instance, is as dark as any specimen from Travancore." And conversely, I may add, in the Zoological Survey of India collections there is a specimen from Shevroy hills (Madras Presidency) whioh is so pale that it could not be differentiated when placed with the Debra Dun (United Provinces) birds. The intergradation of the sizes will be clear from the following table (Table 1).
TABLE 1.
Measurements of tke specimens of Athene brama in the Zoological Survey of India collections. Arranged from nortk to south.
No. MEASUREMENTS (mm.). of
Localities. speci- Sex. mens. w. TI. Tr. B.
Punjab (Simla) Lat. ca. 81 oN. 1 ? 155 80 29 20 \
U nlted Provinces (Debra Dun 1 i! 153 79 29 20 and Agra Dt. Lat. ca. ~
\ 27°-SooN. 1 162 80 80 20
2 !? 155-157 80-85 29-80 21-21'0
Baluchistan. Lat. ea. 28°N. 1 ~ 150 77 29 19%
Bengal (SUJguri, Calcutta and 2 c1c1 167-170 8'-90 32 21-22 Its suburbs, Canning). Lat. ca. 22°-26°N. 7 ?? 167-170 80-86 28-32 21-23
A".lG~·6 82 30 22
ASsam (Gauhatl and Cachar). Lat. ea. 25°-26°N.
1 ~ 158 8S 20 22
2 ?? 168-171 81-90 20-32 21-22
RaJputana (Parsad)' Lat. ea. 1 i! 151 78 28 20 24°B.
1 Y 140 76 17 19
1947.] BISW A~IOY BISW AS : Birds from Rajputana. 261
TABLE l-cont.l.
No. t
MEASUREMENTS (mm.). of
Localities. speci- Sex. (
mens. ,V .... Tl. Tr • B.
Bihar (Hanbhum and Ranchi 3 ~~ 151-162 78-82 30-32 20-21 Dts.). Lnt. ca. 23°N.
~ 1 150 78 28 21
4 ?? 165-163 80-89 30-32 20-22
Av.169 8~ 31 21
~ntral Provinces (Plpariya). 1 c1 150 79 32 21 Lat. ca. 23°N.
{ Ahmedabad. 1 ? 151 76 30 20 Lat. ca. 23°N.
Bombay Presy. Batnaglri Dt. 2 ~~ 147-156 74-77 30 21-22
Lat. rae 17°N.
_., South India (Bangalore, Manga- 2 ~~ 148-154 73-74 I 27 18'5 ... 19
lore, Shevroy hllls and Trivan-drum). Lat. ~a. 8°-13°N. 2 1? 155-157 70· .. .,5 28 18-21
It would appear from the table that there is a very .~mall and hardly :significant reduction in size from north to south, and it is impossible to fix a dividing line between northern and southern birds.
The above facts would lead to infer that only one subspecies (viz., Mama) of Atkene brama should be recognized in India.
Order FALCONIFORMES
Family F ALCONIDAE
Astor badius duslumieri (Temminck and Laugier)
(The IndiaN. Shikra) 8pecimett collected: No. 26.812, 3, Barapal, October 14, 1941.
Measurements (mm.) : 1 d': W. 194; TI. 151; Tr. 50; B. 20. Weight: 140·0 gms. Local (Bhil) name: Richhadnyo.
Order COLUMBIFORMES
Family COLUMBIDAE
Columba livia intermedia Strickland
(The Indian Blue Rock-Pigeon)
Sl'tAimen collected: No. 26813, (!, Parsad, ()ctober 17, 1941.
Mea&Urements (mm.) : 1 c!: W. 232; Tl. 124; Tr. 30; B. 22.
262 Records C!i .tke I ndia"" Museum. [VOL. XLV.
Streptopelia chinensis suratensis (Gmelin) (The Indian Spotted Dove)
Specimen collected: No. 26814, C:!, Parsad, October 21, 1941. Measurements (mm.): 1 &': W. 140; Tl. 141; Tr. 23; B.20. Weight: 103·5 gms. Field notes : Common only in certain localities. The testes were in breeding condition, and measured approximately
S·Ox6·0 mm..
Streptopelia senegalensis cambayensis (Gmelin)
(The Little Brown Dove)
Specimen collected : No. 26815, C:!, Barapal, October 13, 1941. Measurements (mm.): 1 c:!: W. 126; Tl. 120; Tr. 19; B. 18. Weight : 72·7 gms. Local (Bhil) name: H6lu. Field note: The testes were in the non-breeding condition, measuring
about 2·5 X 1·75 mm.
Streptopelia decaocto decaocto (Frivaldszky)
(The Indian Ring Dov~.> Specimens collected: No. 26817, &" Chitorgarh, October 8; No. 26818,
~, around Udaisagar Lake, October 12; No. 26816, d', Barapal, October 13, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 3~~ : W. 161-170; Tl. 130-142; Tr. 22-23 j B.20.
Weights (gms.): &'&': Nos. 26816,132·2; 26817,147·0; 26818,139·7. Local (Bhil) name : H6lu or Aly6. Field notes : Common. In Nos. 26816 and 26817 the "testes were in the non-breeding condi
tion, measuring approximately 2·0-3·0 X 1·5-2·0 mm. Remarks: As already reported by Roonwal (1943), in .No. 26817, c1,
the bare orbital skin is pale grey with a distinct bright lemon yellow in patches; and the edges of the eyelids are yellowish white.
Family PTEROCLIDIDAE
Pterocles indicus (Gmelin)
(The Painted Sand-Grouse)
Specimens collected2 : Nos. 26572 and 2657 4, ~~, 26573, ~,Parsad, October 23, 1941.
l\ieasurements (mm.). w. TI. Tr.
178--180 77--85 26--27 170 85 28
B.
19 ?
-----_ ....... -------------------I These specimens have been studied by Roonwal (1947) in connection with his
Oatalogue of Pterocletes.
1947.] BISWAMOY BISW AS: Birds from Ra}putana. 263
Field notes. Common among grass on hill-sides, usually in pairs. Shot at a pool where they come in large numbers every evening to drink.
In Nos. 26572 and 26574 the testes were in the non-breeding condi-tion, and measured about 2·0 X 1·5 mm. .
Order GALLIFORMES
Family PHASIANIDAE
Perdicula asiatica asiatica (Latham)
(The Jungle Bush-Quail). Specimen collected: No. 26819, ~, Barapal, October 15, 1941. Measurements (mm.) : 1 ~: W. 81 ; Tl. 40; Tr. 25; B. 13. Weight : 40·8 gms. Local (Bhil) name : Labdee. Field note : Fairly common.
Francolinus pondicerianus interpositus Hartert
(The Northern Grey Partridge) Specimens collected: Nos. 26820, ~ (juv.), and 26821, ~, Barapal,
October 14 and 15 respectively; No. 26822, ~, Parsad, October 22, 1941.
Measurements (mm.) : 2 ad. ~~: W 137; Tl. 84-87; Trt 36-37 ; B.21-22.
Local (Bhil) name: Titar. Field notes: Very common at Parsad, but not so at Barapal. The ovaries were of very large size, measuring in No. 26821, 9·0x
7·0 mm., and in No. 26822, 12·0x8·0 mm., both with several conspicuous ova (some measuring about 2·5 mm. in diameter), suggesting proximity to breeding.
Order CHARADRIIFORMES
Family CHARADRIIDAE
Lobivanellus indicus indicus (Boddaert)
(The Indian Red-wattled Lapwing) Specimen collected: No. 26823, (sex 1), on R. Berach nea.l" Chitor-
garh, October 8, 1941. Measurements (mm.) : 1 (sex 1): W. 220; Tl. 120; Tr. 87; B. 38. Weight: 197·2 gms. Field notes : Very common.
264 Records of the I ndian Museum. [VOL. XLV,
Himantopus himantopul himantopus (Linne)
(The Black-winged Stilt)
Specimen collected: No. 26824, cJ, Barapal, October 14, 1941. Measurements (mm.) : 1 cJ: W. 238; Tl. 88; Tr. 117; B. 59. Field notes: The testes were in the non -breeding condition and
measured about 3·0 X 1·5 mm.
Family SCOLOPACID~E
Tringa ocrophul Linne
(The Green Sandpiper)
Specimen collected: Noo 26825, ~, Barapal, October 14, 1941.
Measurements (mm.): 1 6: W. 142; Tl. 65; Tr. 34; B. 38. Field notes : Common.
The -testes were in the non-breeding condition, measuring approximately 2·0 X 1·5 mm.
Order CICONIIFORMES
Family PLEGADIDAE
Pleladis falcinellul falcinellUI (Linne)
(The Glossy Ibis)
Specimens collected: NOB. 26827, 26828, 26829, cJ&" Barapal, October 12, 13 and 14, 1941 respectively.
Measurements (mm.): 3 6c1: W 270-287 ; Tl. 110-113; Tr. 89-107; B. 112-145.
Local (Bhil) name: Koylee. Field notes : Not very common.
The testes were in the non-breeding condition, and measured approximately 7·0-S'0 X 4,0-50 0 mm.
Order PODICIPIFORMES
Family PODIQJi:.PIDAE
Podicepa ruficolli, eapeDsis Salvadori
(The Indian Little Grebe)
Specimens collected ,0 NOR. 26830, 6, and ~6831. ~ (juv.), Barapal, October 14, 1941.
Measurements (nun.) ,e 1 ad, &': W. 101 ; Tr. 87; B. 21.
1947.] BISW AMOY BISW AS: Birds from Ra1PUtana, 265
Field notes " Common.
In No. 26830, the testes were in the non-hreeding condition, meaiuring about 3,5 X 2·0 mm.
REFERENOES.
Adam, R. M. 1873. Notes on the birds of the Sambhar Lake and its vicinity. Str. Feath. I, pp. 361-404.
----1874. Additional notes on the birds of the Sambhar Lake and its vicinity. Ib1:(l., II, pp. 337-341, and 456-466.
Baker, E. C. S. 1924. Fauna of B1'itish India, Bird, (2nd, edition), London, II.
,--1927. Ibid., IV
1930. Ibid., VIII. Biswas, B. 1947 Notes on a collection of birds from the Darrang
District, Assam. Rec. Indian Mus. XLV, pp,225-244, Butler, E. A. 1875. Notes on avifauna of Mount Aboo and northern
Gujerat. Btr. Feath. III, pp. 437 500.
---1876. Notes on avifauna of 1\lount Aboo and noriJhe'rft Gujerat. Ibid., e IV, pp, 1-41.
Hurne, A. O. 1878. The birds of a drought. Ibid., VII, pp. 52-68.
Peters, J. L. 1940. Check-list (!f the Birds of the 1170rld, Cambridge, U. S. A., IV
Roonwal, M. L. 1943. Note on the colour of iris, of the bare orbItal skin around the eyes and of the edges of the eyelids ju the Indian Ring-Dove. J. Roy. Asiat. Soc. Bengal IX, p. 17,
------ 1947. Catalogue of birds in the Indian Museuln, Calcutta. II. Pterocletes (Sand-Gronse or Pigeon-Grouse), Reo. Indian Mus. XI.JV, pp. 57-73.
Ticehurst, C. B. 1922. The birds of Sind; Pt. i. Ibis (11) IV, pp. 526-572.
---- 1922. The birds of Sinl}, Pl-. ii. Ibi8 (11) IV~ pp. 605-662.
W'histler, H. 1938. The ornithological survey of Jodhpur State. J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc. XL, IJP 213-235.
Whistler, H. and Kinnear, N. B. 1935. The Vernay scientific survey of the Eastern Ghats (Ornithological sectiln), Pt. X. Ibid., XXXVII, pp. 751.763.